When you notice an orange or green dot on your iPhone screen, it indicates that your iPhone is currently receiving input from external sources. The orange dot specifically indicates that the microphone is in use, whether during a phone call or in a recording app. On the other hand, the green dot signifies the use of one or both cameras, as well as the microphone. You can easily check which apps are using your microphone and camera by swiping down from the top-right of your iPhone screen to open the Control Center. It is important to pay attention to app permissions and not ignore them (source).
If you prefer a different way to distinguish between the dots rather than relying solely on color, you can customize the orange dot to appear as an orange square by making a simple change in your settings. Here’s how:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap on Accessibility.
- Select Display & Text Size.
- Toggle on the Differentiate Without Color setting.
Keep in mind that this setting only applies to the orange dot, as the green dot cannot be changed in color or shape. Additionally, if you were considering turning off these dots entirely, unfortunately, that is not possible. The dots cannot be removed from your iPhone screen as they play a crucial role in ensuring your privacy. They are similar to the bright red light on a video camera that indicates when recording is in progress. Apple considers it essential to inform users when their device may be recording audio or video.